Child endangerment defendant found to be competent

A Leavenworth woman accused of leaving her baby alone in an alley has been found to be competent to stand trial.

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By John Richmeier

The Leavenworth Times - Leavenworth, KS

By John Richmeier

Posted Dec. 29, 2012 at 9:00 AM

By John Richmeier

Posted Dec. 29, 2012 at 9:00 AM

A Leavenworth woman accused of leaving her baby alone in an alley has been found to be competent to stand trial.

The ruling came Friday in the case of Elizabeth A. Michaud. She’s charged with aggravated endangering a child for allegedly leaving her infant son alone May 3 in an alley in Leavenworth.

Authorities believe Michaud was under the influence of drugs or alcohol the night of the incident. Leavenworth Police Chief Pat Kitchens has estimated the baby was in the alley for at least three hours before he was found in a stroller by an area resident.

Assistant County Attorney Cheryl Marquardt, who is prosecuting the case, said Friday that a report about a recent evaluation of Michaud indicated the defendant was competent.

District Judge Michael Gibbens ruled that Michaud is competent to stand trial. Gibbens is not the judge who normally presides over the case but he presided over Friday’s hearing.